Detectives are appealing for information and footage from the public following an armed robbery in Widnes.

At around 9pm yesterday, Thursday 7 March, a man brandishing a knife and wearing a face covering entered the Bargain Booze shop on Derby Road.

The offender threatened members of staff and demanded cash.

He ran out of the shop via the front door with a quantity of cash and cigarettes.

The man is described as white, around 25 years old and approximately 5’ 5” tall with a proportionate build.

He was wearing a black hooded jacket with the hood up, grey bottoms, black gloves and blue and grey Nike trainers.

He was carrying a shoulder bag and spoke with a Widnesian accent.

Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and detectives are urging anyone who thinks they may have seen the offender, either before or after the robbery, to come forward.

They also want to speak to anyone who believes they may know who the offender is or have CCTV or dashcam footage of him.

Detective Sergeant Alison White, from Widnes CID, said: “This was a terrifying incident and the shop workers who were threatened by the offender have understandably been left extremely shaken up.

“I would like to reassure them and the rest of the community that we are doing everything we can to identify the offender and bring him to justice and that we are determined to achieve that goal.

“Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and as part of our investigation I am appealing for anyone who was in the area and thinks they have seen the offender, either before he carried out the robbery or as he was fleeing the scene, to get in touch.

“The same goes for anyone who thinks they have may CCTV or dashcam footage of him or know his identity.

“If you can help or have any other information that may aid our investigation please contact the team here at Widnes Police Station.”

Anyone with information or CCTV footage that may be relevant to the investigation should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 341019, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.